Before she could answer, her phone rang. Connor. She declined the call. It rang again. Then a message appeared. We need to talk before Falco gets you hurt. Harper blocked the number.

That evening, someone leaked photographs from the gala to a gossip website. The headline described Harper as a “heartbroken attorney seeking protection from Chicago’s most feared businessman.”

Connor gave an anonymous quote claiming Harper had become unstable after the breakup.

Roman entered her office carrying a tablet. “I can have the article removed.”

“No.”

“It is defamatory.”